The Powers and Items of Doctor Strange

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Amulet of Agamotto

First appearance: ST #110 (Doc's first appearance). Doc's first, original mystic amulet, given to him by the Ancient One. It is the predecessor to the Eye of Agamotto, which was awarded to Doc by the Ancient One after defeating Dormammu in ST #127.

Semantic note: For a time after ST #127, Doc still referred to his mystic amulet, using language as if the Amulet of Agamotto contained the Eye of Agamotto. Eventually, the item came to be called only the Eye of Agamotto. Then later in the Sorcerer Supreme series, the Amulet and Eye came to refer to separate items: Doc's original Amulet (or "early-model Eye") and then newer Eye. Referred to as Amulet of Agamotto in DSSS #56.

After awarding Doc the Eye, the Ancient One gave the first Amulet back to Agamotto [DSSS #32].

Silver Dagger stole the Amulet (or "early-model Eye") from Agamotto (or more accurately, Agamotto let him take it) and used it in his empty left eye socket for a time [DSSS #32].

Doc eventually awarded this Amulet to his apprentice Rintrah [DSSS Annual #2].

The Amulet's powers are virtually identical to the Eye's. See the Eye of Agamotto.

Astral Form

Doc is able to enter a trance (rather quickly) and leave his physical body for a ghostly astral form. The astral form has no physical substance, can pass through walls, and is invisible to
the non-mystical (except for the Hulk). The physical body is stationary and helpless during this time. There is no connection to the physical body- if it is moved without the mystic's knowledge
while away in astral form, the mystic must search for it [ST #121]. If the astral form does not return to the body within 24 hours, the body dies and the mystic is helplessly trapped in astral form until it slowly dissipates [ST #121].
A mystic is weaker in raw power in his astral form than he is in his physical body.

First appearance: ST #110.

Intense atomic energy, like at the core of a star, "can bring about a chemical change which could prove fatal to a spirit form" [ST #134].

The astral form can be used to take possession of another body [DS #80].

Bolts of Balthakk

Standard energy blast [DS #32].

Apparently used to break up a large melee by teleporting each group to opposite sides of a room (spelled Balthaak here) [Def V2 #8].

Bolts of Bedevilment

Standard energy blast.

Book of the Vishanti

First appearance: ST #116. "I possess the only known copy of the Book of the Vishanti! Every counter-spell known to the mystic arts is inscribed within these time-worn pages!"

Referred to as "the sacred volume which contains within its yellowed pages all knowledge of the occult possessed by mortal man" [ST #147].

An enchanted aura guards the book [ST #147] (but it's not clear from this reference if it's inherent to the Book or a protection Doc has placed on it).

For a time in the past, the Book was guarded by a sacred griffin appointed by the priests of the Babylonian god Marduk. It was written that whoever defeated the sentinel would be the destined possessor of the book. The Ancient One long ago defeated the griffin to become this "destined possessor", and eventually gave the Book to Dr. Strange. When the evil mystic Kaluu stole the Book from Doc and sent it back in time to the past when the griffin guarded it, Dr. Strange and the Ancient One went back to retrieve it. In this second go-round, Dr. Strange could not defeat the griffin! Only the Ancient One, having once defeated the griffin to become the Book's destined possessor, became, or was always destined to be, the only person who could ever defeat the griffin [ST #150]. (Now that the Ancient One is dead, it is unclear how Doc would retrieve the book again if Kaluu's trick were ever repeated.)

Can be enlarged to envelop a target, sending them into "the endless dimensions of the Vishanti" and "the hidden landscapes of your mind" [DS #33].

Cauldron of the Cosmos

"Here, before the blazing Cauldron of the Cosmos, I oftimes sit for hours upon end-- and dwell upon the immutable mysteries of the universe!" Located in Doc's Chamber of Meditation [Defenders v1 #15].

Doc says he's consulted the Cauldron in Defenders v3 #1.

Chains of Krakkan

Conjures heavy chains to ensnare a target [DS #47].

Clamp of Containment

Summons and shapes rock from the ground beneath a target, trapping the lower body and hands at the waist. The target is unable to cast spells. Used on Doc by Cyrus Black [DS #34].

Cloak of Levitation

Red with yellow trim and distinctive cowl, the Cloak allows Doc to fly with little effort or drain to his personal mystic energies.

Doc can mentally command, move and control the Cloak. He has used it to envelop enemies.

Crimson Bands of Cyttorak

Large red glowing ribbons usually used to wrap and capture or imprison a target.

Can be sent out en masse to search for a specific target. Dormammu looked for Doc this way [DSSS #1].

In What If? V2 #52, What If Dr. Doom Became Sorcerer Supreme?, Dormammu used the Crimson Bands to seal the Baxter Building.

Can be used for feats of strength. Doc used them to break out of a Clamp of Containment [DS #34].

The Bands can be used to lasso someone out of a crowd [X-Men Annual #4].

The Bands have also appeared as a large imprisoning crystal that shrinks [ST #128].

Crimson Crystals of Cyttorak

Summons what appear to be small rubies that are used as an energy blast [MP #5].

Doc used them to imprison, shrink and cast away a Vipers of Valtorr spell cast against him [DS #34].

Crystals of Cyndriarr

Daggers of Daveroth

A mystical energy blast composed of red fiery daggers. Their counter-spell is noted in the Book of the Vishanti [DS #44].

Darkhold, The

A powerful book, of parchments written by the Chthon, Elder God of Chaos, containing his arcance and demonic secrets, collected and bound by the evil sorceress Morgan Le Fey [DSSS #11].

Demons of Denak

Summons what mainfests as numerous invisible claws, used for attack or to rip suitable objects apart [I forget?].

A common Doc exclamation.

Dreamwalking

Doc can enter the dreams of others [ST #110].

Doc: "My first lessons were in dreamwalking..." [ASM V2 #47].

Eye of Agamotto

Dr. Strange's most powerful and precious item. Basically identical in powers (but not in appearance) to its predecessor, the Amulet of Agamotto- although in ST #128 it says that Doc has been given "a more powerful amulet". The text below uses "Eye" to refer to both the Amulet and the Eye.

The Ancient One can activate the Eye's powers remotely [ST #110].

The Eye can send out a hypnotic, immobilizing ray of blinding light [ST #110].

An astral form of the Eye travels with Doc's astral form, and its powers are available to Doc while in astral form. This seems to make the Eye an incredibly powerful and useful item; no other item has been shown to also have an astral form like this (although occasionally Doc's Cloak of Levitation is included in art of Doc's astral form, which is a mistake (and why would the Cloak be needed for flight in astral form?)). The Eye's physical form remains with Doc's physical body, and that can also be activated by Doc while in astral form, the equivalent of having two Eyes [ST #110]!

It can be used to communicate with others and transmit thoughts over long distances [ST #110].

Doc uses it on several occasions to transmit strength/health to the Ancient One [ST #111].

Its light can be used to detect normally-invisible mystical auras, effects, etc. [ST #116].

Its light can dissolve illusions. "Nothing evil can bask in its glow for long!" [ST #116].

It can be used to completely read another's mind [ST #118].

The Eye (an actual eyeball) can be called forth to leave the amulet holder, and rise to the middle of Doc's forehead, in the "third eye" location [ST #120]. No different Eye powers have been shown when it's used this way as opposed to when it stays in the amulet holder, but it's a neat effect.

It can unlock door bolts ("no mere man-made lock can resist the power of my enchanted amulet") [ST #120].

It can play back recent past events in an area (because "light waves never completely disappear") [ST #121].

The Eye can be drained by a great expenditure of its power, which renders it unusable for a while (presumably it recharges normally over time). The Eye looks sleepy and tired when this happens [ST #149].

Flames of the Faltine

Standard energy blast. The Flames are usually green.

Used to melt the Icy Tendrils of Ikthalon [DS #33].

Flames of Regency

The flames around Dormammu's head have been explained as a kind of fiery crown signifying the leader of the Dark Dimension. When Clea was leader of the Dark Dimension, she was shown with flames behind her head (but her head wasn't engulfed in the fire as Dormammu's was). However, other Faltinians who had nothing to do with control of the Dark Dimension have been shown to look like little Dormammus with flaming heads.

While Clea was leader of the Dark Dimension, she said that the flames of regency whispered tyrannical, urge-for-power type thoughts to her that she had to resist [Marvel Comics Presents #20].

Icy Tendrils of Ikthalon

Images of Ikonn

Doc freaks out Galactus(!) with this spell: "I reached into the darkest corners of his mind to confront Galactus with the ghosts of all he has slain." [Fantastic Four #243]

Invisible Shield of Everlasting Enchantment

Dr. Strange refers to this magic after surviving a blast from the atomic electrodes of the robot Voltorg [ST #166].

As a general rule, Dr. Strange has been shown absorbing much more physical punishment than a normal human ever could, even from sneak attacks without preparing a magical shield. In some instances, Doc has referred to and expressed gratitude for vague "protections" and such. Essentially, it's obvious (and sensical) that Doc has some kind of mystical shield going on that protects him 24/7 and doesn't require his constant concentration.

Levitation

Doc often levitates in place lightly off the ground while he is meditating or studying. I assume he is able to fly outright, but that it is a drain on his mystical resources. The Cloak of Levitation solves that issue.

Martial Arts

Doc's mystical training with the Ancient One included full martial arts training. He has no problem letting the occasional karate chop fly.

Mist of Hoggoth- see Spell of Hoggoth

Mists of Morpheus

Mists of Munnopor

Summons a bluish gas which covers the face of the opponent and suffocates him [DS #34].

Multiple Body Illusion

Several illusions of Doctor Strange surge forth; enemies don't know which is the real one, if any of them are.

In what appears to be a huge power boost to this ability, Doc can give each illusory figure the power to hypnotize people [ST #131].

Appearances: ST #123 (first, against Loki), ST #130-131, DS #70.

Orb of Agamotto

Doctor Strange's "crystal ball."

Originally portrayed as a globe of the Earth- the work of evil mystical forces appeared as dark spots, revealing their location on Earth and their intensity to Doc.

In ST #128, the Orb of Agamotto is referred to as the Eye of Agamotto. Oops.

Purple Gem

The gem provides a means to enter (or become trapped in) the Purple Dimension led by the slaver Aggamon [ST #119] [DS #56].

Used to amplify and focus the Eye of Agamotto's power; the incantation included "Heightened by Aggamon's distant might" [DS #33].

Used to entrap an opponent; the target appeared to be more like eaten by the gem itself rather than transported to the Purple Dimension [DS #33].

Doc once attempted to use the Purple Gem to entrap Loki, but being a god, Loki resisted being sent to the Purple Dimension (or if he was actually sent there, he was able to return instaneously under his own power) [ST #123].